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ULTIMATE FILE UTILITY
Copyright 1991 Kevin A. Kwast
Version 1.31
Dated 01/08/91
The Ultimate File Utility is designed to be a good general file utility
to handle all your file management needs. It is fairly complete, but
I am still looking for more improvements that could be made. Please
write me with any suggestions or bug finds. I'd appreciate it.
The distributed EXE form of Ultimate File Utility has been compressed
using Fabrice Bellard's utility, LZEXE, which compresses and protects
EXEcutable files. This makes the EXE file as small as possible, and
helps to prevent modification or alteration. If you received UFU in an
archive file (ZIP, ARC, or others), you may have noticed that UFU.EXE
did not compress. This is because the file is already compressed, and
is not a problem.
You can distribute the Ultimate File Utility freely, as long as no
changes are made to UFU or to this documentation. You cannot reverse
engineer, disassemble, or otherwise modify UFU.EXE or UFU.DOC.
UFU requires MS-DOS 2.0 or later running on an IBM or compatible. The
Ultimate File Utility takes up about 60K RAM when resident and executing
another program or a DOS shell.
DISCLAIMER
To the best of my knowledge, every function of the Ultimate File Utility
works perfectly. However, I cannot be responsible for any incidental
or consequential losses or damages arising from the use or misuse of
this software. I cannot guarantee that this product is error-free or
that this software will meet your needs. There is no warranty of any
kind regarding this software's quality or performance.
PRINT THE DOCUMENTATION
This documentation, 13 pages, is already formatted for printing. Ready
your printer in 10 pitch (10 cpi) mode and at the DOS prompt type:
COPY UFU.DOC LPT1:
If your printer is connected to port 2, use LPT2:
The Ultimate File Utility will load up with all the files in the current
subdirectory unless you specify a path or mask on the command line.
Example: UFU B:*.EXE will load only files on B: with mask *.EXE
Example: UFU C:\DATA\ will load all files in C:\DATA
You will be returned to the initial sub-directory after quitting UFU.
If you need UFU displayed in monochrome, the Ultimate File Utility can
be forced into monochrome mode by placing a space and a /M option on the
end of the command line. For example: UFU C:\*.BAT /M
See Appendix F for a complete description of all command line options.
The Ultimate File Utility was designed for use with a hard drive, and
it often needs to use COMMAND.COM. If you run UFU on a floppy based
system, you may need to insert the DOS disk for COMMAND.COM when using
certain functions (i.e. Jump, Shell, Xecute, Print, Edit, View, Copy).
The Ultimate File Utility is based around a single screen, which shows
the command options on 3 lines at the top of the screen. The lower part
of the screen has 2 columns, each one listing 15 files from the current
directory. The listing includes the file name, size, datestamp, and
attributes. The line above the file listing shows the current path, or
the current directory. When you do file manipulations or change the
path, the file listing will change to reflect the files. Note that a
"path" refers to a subdirectory on a floppy disk or hard drive. This
is not the environmental variable PATH which tells DOS where to search
when looking for a program. UFU also uses the PATH variable; for more
information on this, see Appendix A or consult your DOS manual.
The commands in the Ultimate File Utility are roughly divided into three
groups, which are on the three lines of commands at the top of the menu.
First Line - Commands which affect a single file
Second Line - Commands which affect multiple files based on their tagged
status.
Third Line - Miscellaneous commands which do not directly affect files.
Starting on the next page, there will be a short description of every
command in UFU. The desriptions follow this format:
<name> <menu key> <type of command>
<description of command>
See the Appendixes for other information on specific topics, such as
paths, file masks, tagging, attributes, exterior batch files, useful
keys in UFU, command line options, and registration.
COPY [C] Single-File Command
You will be prompted on whether you want to copy the current file to a
new name. Answering "yes" allows you to give a destination path and
name, or to create a new file in the current directory under a new
name by typing in the new name alone. Answering "no" allows you to
type a destination alone (i.e. A:) to copy the current file to another
place under the same name like the DOS command COPY. Attributes are
copied to the new file as well. The current file is not changed.
DELETE [D] Single-File Command
Deletes the current file, after asking for confirmation. This command
will not delete read-only files; use [A]ttrib to turn off Read-Only.
This command can also remove directories; however, the directory must
be empty so that you don't accidently remove a directory full of files.
TAG [T] Single-File Command
Tags the current file, so that it can be used by the multiple-file
commands. A star (*) will appear to the left of the name indicating
that it is tagged. The file will remain tagged until it is untagged
in some way. See Appendix C for information on file tagging.
UNTAG [U] Single-File Command
Untags the current file, if it has been tagged.
RENAME [R] Single-File Command
Renames the current file. The new name must be a legal file name, and
may not be the name of an already existing file.
PRINT [P] Single-File Command (uses batch file)
Sends the name of the current file to the UFU-PRNT exterior batch file,
which can print the file using any method you want. It will return and
reload the files. See Appendix E for information on exterior batch
files. If UFU-PRNT isn't found, the [P]rint command will do nothing.
VIEW [V] Single-File Command (uses batch files)
Sends the name of the current file to a batch file if one exists,
depending on the extension of the current file's name. These batch
files can then take action to view the file. It will then return and
reload the files. See Appendix E for information on exterior batch
files. For example, if the current file's extension is WP, then UFU
will try to execute the UFU-WPV.BAT file, and pass the file name. If
UFU-WPV.BAT isn't found, UFU will try to run UFU-VIEW.BAT.
XECUTE [X] Single-File Command
This command will execute the current file. The current file must be
a COM file, EXE file, or BAT file. In other words, any file that DOS
can run directly. You will be returned to UFU after execution.
EDIT [F2] Single-File Command (uses batch file)
Sends the name of the current file to the UFU-EDIT exterior batch file,
which can then use your favorite editor to edit the file. It will then
return and reload the files.
ATTRIB [A] Multiple-File Command
Will change the hidden, system, archive, or read-only attributes on one
file, all tagged files, or all untagged files. Just specify the
attributes you want turned on, or specify N for no attributes to be
set. This command will change the attributes on a directory, as well.
Put the current file pointer on a directory, and "change attributes on
a single file". See Appendix D for information on file attributes.
ERASE [E] Multiple-File Command
Erases either all tagged files, or all untagged files; with or without
asking for confirmation on each file. Restrictions are the same as
with DELETE.
INFO [I] Multiple-File Command
Tells the number of tagged files, the amount of disk space taken up by
the tagged files, and the free disk space on the drive. Use FLIP to
get info on the untagged files, and then FLIP back.
FLIP [F] Multiple-File Command
Flips all the tags on all the files. Untagged files become tagged, and
vice versa. Another FLIP puts them back the way they were.
MASS COPY [M] Multiple-File Command
Copies all the tagged or untagged files to another directory or drive.
Functionally the same as COPY, but will not copy to a different name.
WILD TAG [W] Multiple-File Command
Will tag or untag files based on a file mask, such as *.EXE or B*.WK?,
in the current directory.
SORT [S] Miscellaneous Command
This command allows you to sort the files on your screen into ascending
(going up) or descending (going down) order based on the file name,
file extension, file size, or the file's modification date/time. If
you want to see the newest files at the top, then sort by Date/Time in
Descending order. This does not change the way DOS has stored the
files, only the way UFU shows the files. Directories are not affected
by this command. This sorting only occurs once, and the next time
the files are loaded, they will be loaded in DOS's order. To have UFU
always sort the directory listings, use the /S command line option.
See Appendix F for information on the /S default sorting option.
FILE MASK [F4] Miscellaneous Command
Affects the file mask of files which will be loaded into UFU. If you
want to only see files beginning with A, set the file mask to A*.* or
load UFU with A*.* on the command line. The current file mask is shown
in the "Current Path" line above the files (and is usually *.*).
FIND [F6] Miscellaneous Command
This command allows you to move the cursor directly to a file in the
current path and file mask if you know the file name. If the file
isn't in the current directory listing, you will be informed of that
fact; otherwise, the cursor will be moved rapidly to that file. This
is especially useful in a large subdirectory, so that you don't have
to use the cursor keys in order to find the file.
JUMP [F7] Miscellaneous Command
Allows you to send a Command Line directly to DOS from UFU. This will
let you execute other programs, or DOS functions, and then return to
UFU. As a shortcut, you can put a @ in your Command Line and UFU
will insert the Current File name in place of the @. Try JUMPing to
PKZIP, DIR, COPY, or anything else that you could do from the DOS
prompt. If the program you want to JUMP to is not in the DOS PATH
variable, you may have to tell DOS the exact location of the program
to jump to. In other words, the JUMP line is just like a DOS prompt.
When the JUMPed-to command ends, you will be returned to UFU.
SHELL [F8] Miscellaneous Command
This command will do a complete "shell" from UFU, sending you to DOS
where you can do whatever you want. However, UFU will remain in memory
and take up about 60K RAM. When you are ready to return to UFU, type
EXIT at the DOS prompt.
RELOAD [F9] Miscellaneous Command
This command will reload the files from the disk like new, clearing all
tags. Use this command if you have somehow changed files and UFU
doesn't know about it (and the files on the screen do not reflect the
real files). If you have a default sort specification, the files will
be sorted. It is important that if anything weird happens, you need
to hit this key and reload the files, which takes less than a second
from my hard drive. The files on the screen should always reflect the
files on the disk.
CHG DIR [F10] Miscellaneous Command
Changes the "Current Path" to anything. Use this to log into another
drive or directory, and even another the file mask. This command will
also create directories. CHG DIR to the directory you want to create,
and UFU can create it. This command works the same as the DOS Commands
CD or MD. Simply type the new desired "Current Path".
EXIT [ESC] Miscellaneous Command
This command will completely exit UFU, and return you to DOS. You
will be asked for confirmation before leaving.
HELP! [F1] Miscellaneous Command
This command will bring up the help screen, which tells the version
number, useful keys, and the author's address.
APPENDIX A
The current file path describes the drive and location where UFU is
loading its files. The file path is made up of an optional drive
indicator and a sequence of directory names. Each directory name is
seperated from the previous one by a backslash (\). The path may
contain any number of directory names up to a total length of 63
characters. If the drive indicator is omitted, the current drive
will be used. If a pathname begins with a backslash, UFU searches for
the file beginning at the root of the directory system. Otherwise,
it begins at the working directory and searches along the path from
there. If the directory names are omitted, the current logged
directory on that drive will be used.
Some sample file paths are:
c:\
\programs\
\user\john\
c:\database\forms\
a:
APPENDIX B
A file mask specifies the files which should be loaded into UFU by the
use of wildcards. Wildcards give more flexibility when specifying
filenames. Wildcards are two special characters which make up a file
mask when used in a file name; these wildcard characters are the
asterisk and the question mark.
A question mark (?) in a filename or filename extension means that any
character can occupy that position. The following file masks will load
all files with the specified file name, except that any character can
be in the position occupied by the question mark. Given are example
file masks and example files which would be brought up by that mask.
memo????.doc { memo0001.doc, memo1.doc, memo.doc, memoab.doc }
file.??? { file.any, file.doc, file.txt, file.exe }
john?doc.wp? { john1doc.wp, johnadoc.wp5, john-doc.wps }
An asterisk (*) used in a filename or filename extension means that any
character can occupy that position or any of the remaining positions in
the filename or extension. For example, these file masks will call up
all of the files shown to the right.
memo*.txt { memo1190.txt, memo.txt, memo2127.txt }
*.exe { ufu.exe, basic.exe, anyfile.exe, run.exe }
a*.bat { ab.bat, a.bat, anyfile.bat, action.bat }
run.* { run.bat, run.exe, run.doc, run.txt, run.c }
The mask *.* refers to all files in the current directory.
Note that any characters following the asterisk wildcard, up to the
period seperating the filename from its extension, are ignored. For
example, *end.* is the same thing as *.*; the "end" is ignored.
APPENDIX C
File tagging allows operations to be performed on more than one file at
once. If you wanted to erase all files ending in BAT or EXE, you could
wild tag all files with the mask *.BAT and *.EXE. All files with those
extensions would then be tagged. (A * will appear to the left of the
file name, indicating its tagged status.) With a single Erase command,
all of these files can be deleted. After the [E]rase command, you will
be prompted on whether you would like to delete all tagged or untagged
files. Select [T]agged. You will then be prompted on whether you
would like to be queried individually for each file. If you select
[N]o, then all the files which had been tagged will be automatically
deleted. If you select [Y]es, then you will be asked whether each
individual file should be deleted.
You can erase files, get information on files, change attributes, and
copy files all based on their tagged status. Use [T]ag and [U]ntag to
change the tagged status, and [F]lip to reverse the tag on all files.
UFU's file tagging system will keep a file tagged until you leave the
directory or remove it from the directory listing by the file mask.
For instance, if you have a file named ANYFILE.COM tagged, and you
change the file mask to *.EXE and then back to *.*, ANYFILE.COM will
no longer be tagged. UFU will keep the file tagged until you remove
it from the current file listing somehow. If you want all the files
untagged, the easiest way is to press the [F9] Reload command.
APPENDIX D
File attributes are an often-misunderstood portion of DOS. There are 4
file attributes which can either be set or clear. These attributes are
as follows:
(H) Hidden - When this is set, the file will not show up to normal
DOS file functions. It is not shown in a DIR, it isn't
included in a COPY, and et cetera. UFU can operate on
hidden files the same as any other file, however.
(R) Read-Only - Setting a file to read-only keeps that file from
being accidentally deleted. UFU and DOS both will
not delete a file marked as read-only.
(S) System - The system attribute is set on the two DOS system files,
and you should have no reason to set this attribute. It
is included for completeness only.
(A) Archive - This attribute is used by most backup programs to find
out what files are new or have been changed. Whenever
a file is created or updated, DOS sets the file archive
attribute. The backup program can then turn it off and
later check to see if it was updated by the setting of
the Archive attribute. You may not have any use for
this attribute.
These attributes can be set on any file or directory; however, the only
attribute you would want to set on a directory is the Hidden attribute
which will prevent the directory from being shown, but still allow
access to that directory. Most directories should be set to "N"one.
If you need any other information on attributes, see your DOS manual.
APPENDIX E
Exterior batch files are used to expand the versatility of UFU. You
can customize the print, view, and edit commands with batch files.
UFU utilizes three standard exterior batch files:
UFU-PRNT.BAT This batch file is called when [P]rint is selected.
UFU-VIEW.BAT This is called when [V]iew is selected and a batch
file for the current file's extension is not found.
This serves to view files that you don't have special
batch files written for, such as text files.
UFU-EDIT.BAT This is called when [F3]-Edit is selected.
Since there are a variety of file formats which you might want to
view, the [V]iew command has a special versatility for ease of use.
The [V]iew command will first look for a batch file with the format
UFU-extV.BAT where "ext" is the current file's extension. If the
current file's extension is ZIP, UFU will look for a batch file called
UFU-ZIPV.BAT; if not found then UFU will try to execute the standard
viewing batch file, UFU-VIEW.BAT. UFU-VIEW.BAT should be a general
text viewing program such as BROWSE, LIST, or even TYPE to view ASCII
text files, documentation, etc.
UFU will call the batch file followed by the name of the current file,
which can be referenced from within the batch file as %1.
For example, selecting [P]rint while the current file is MYFILE.TXT is
just like running UFU-PRNT MYFILE.TXT from the DOS prompt.
This package may have included sample exterior batch files which you
can customize to your needs, otherwise you can create these batch files
yourself. The only requirement is that the batch files be located
somewhere on the PATH, where UFU can find them. In other words, the
exterior batch files must be in a directory which is in your DOS PATH
variable. You can type PATH at the DOS prompt to find out how your
PATH variable is set. A handy place to put your batch files is in the
same place you put UFU.EXE, so that they can be found from anywhere on
your computer.
Here are suggestions for the contents of some exterior batch files:
UFU-PRNT.BAT A text printing program or just: COPY %1 LPT1:
UFU-EDIT.BAT Your favorite editor, or maybe: EDLIN %1
UFU-VIEW.BAT A text file viewing utility, or just: TYPE %1 | MORE
UFU-GIFV.BAT A GIF viewing utility like: SHOWGIF %1
UFU-ZIPV.BAT A ZIP viewer, or just: PKZIP -v %1 | MORE
See your DOS manual for information on batch files or the PATH.
APPENDIX F
There are several useful keys which can be used in the Ultimate File
Utility. These keys are available from the main screen of UFU:
[ENTER] If the pointer is on a directory, this key will go there
[BACKSPACE] If you are not at the root directory, this key will move
one step back up the path
[HOME] Jumps to the top of the column of files
[END] Jumps to the bottom of the column of files
The arrows move through the listing of files.
The [ESC] key will back out of nearly anywhere that input is expected,
except where text is expected, and a single [ENTER] with no text input
will back out of that.
UFU has 2 command line options which allow you to further customize
the Ultimate File Utility for your usage. Command line parameters
are placed at the end of the command line and with a space in between
each one. The command line follows this format:
UFU [file path and/or mask] [/Smd] [/M]
The order of the /S and /M options doesn't matter, as long as they
follow the path/mask if one is specified. Be sure to put a space
between any options you specify.
The /M option forces UFU to run in monochrome mode. This is required
for some laptop computers.
The /S option specifies default sorting. The "m" represents the
desired sorting method, N, E, S, or D. The "d" represents the desired
sorting direction, A or D. See the "Sort" command for other related
information. Once a default sorting method and direction has been
specified, all file loading will immediately be sorted.
Try these default sorting methods:
/SNA Put files in alphabetical order, sorted by name ascending
/SDD Put new files at the top, getting progressively older
/SSA Put the smallest files at the top with ascending sizes
/SEA Sort files alphabetically by their extensions
If you want to regularly use command line options for UFU, I would
suggest creating a batch file that will call UFU with your options,
and pass a starting file/path with %1 if you specify one. If you
are running on a laptop and need the /M switch, plus you want your
files always sorted alphabetically, use this batch file:
UFU %1 /M /SNA
APPENDIX G
If you find the Ultimate File Utility useful, you have 30 days in which
to register your usage with the author. Registration is only $10, a
small price to pay for a utility of this kind. Registration shows your
encouragement and support for the Shareware distribution method, which
allows you to see and use software before you make any commitment.
Your registration will help the author to continue working on software
for shareware release. You get a chance to make sure that it works to
your satisfaction before you "buy" it with your registration fee.
As a further incentive, your registration insures that you will get
notices concerning UFU updates directly from the author, and receive
technical support from the author with any questions or problems you
may have with UFU.
If UFU is to be used in an entire office, or distributed, there are
discounts for mass registration. Each copy past the first 50 is
registered for just $5. Contact the author for other distribution
or site license information.
For individual usage, please send what you think UFU is worth. Ten
dollars is suggested, but even a postcard would be appreciated.
Make checks payable in U.S. funds to KEVIN A KWAST.
Send all correspondence to:
Kevin A. Kwast
P.O. Box 1397
Coppell, Texas
75019 USA
